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stanlove
I think GS was awful live until the 1990s. The live versions in the 70s were so much weaker then the recorder version that I can't believe anyone actually thinks it was good.

All true. Especially the out of breath 1972-73 versions are very weak. It doesn't even sound like the same song. All the drama from the original recording is gone.

The first time Gimme Shelter really took of live was in 1995, at the Paradiso club. By then the dramatic atmosphere it should have was finally there and the guitar playing was much more tasteful than on the overblown MT-era versions.

The live performances from 1997-98 was also great.
During the Licks-tour it had lost some edge, but was still very decent.

On the bigger-bang tour it was once again unfocused and sloppy. Very bad.

But the absolute low point was the 2012 performance with Lady Gaga, which with out a doubt is the most horrific performance of Gimme Shelter in history.

All the 2013-2014 versions were pretty poor, and ruined by Lisa's false singing.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-05-19 20:55 by EasterMan.

Can't answer the live question as I've not been to any Stones concert live (yet).

However just by seeing the youtube videos of various performances of the two songs, I'd say it's about a tie. Every performance (especially over the years) is bound to be a little different (different attemps at arrangement, try something new, etc.), and band's mood may show here and there.

As far as the songs themselves, I think they're both great. They are both haunting songs, and leave an impression you.

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EasterMan

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stanlove
I think GS was awful live until the 1990s. The live versions in the 70s were so much weaker then the recorder version that I can't believe anyone actually thinks it was good.

All true. Especially the out of breath 1972-73 versions are very weak. It doesn't even sound like the same song. All the drama from the original recording is gone.

The first time Gimme Shelter really took of live was in 1995, at the Paradiso club. By then the dramatic atmosphere it should have was finally there and the guitar playing was much more tasteful than on the overblown MT-era versions.

The live performances from 1997-98 was also great.
During the Licks-tour it had lost some edge, but was still very decent.

On the bigger-bang tour it was once again unfocused and sloppy. Very bad.

But the absolute low point was the 2012 performance with Lady Gaga, which with out a doubt is the most horrific performance of Gimme Shelter in history.

All the 2013-2014 versions were pretty poor, and ruined by Lisa's false singing.

Excellent assessment of the GS live development EasterMan. You must have been to quite a few shows or at least have lots of boots to be able to make such a detailed description. Totally agree about the Lady Gaga version!

I actually liked some of the MT-era versions musically but as you state the vocal treatment was not the best. But, it's easy to criticize live versions of a song that was so perfect on the record.

peace

These are probably the two absolute pinnacles in the catalogue. I can listen to sftd forever, so I'll go with that.

Tough question. I must go with 'Gimme Shelter'.

CE

Studio: "Gimme Shelter." Their greatest studio recording, in my opinion. The opening 45 seconds is rock'n'roll menace incarnate. SFTD is also of course an amazing studio recording.

Live: "Sympathy for the Devil" on the '69 tour. Their greatest live performance. Have never particularly dug GS live. Even in 72/3, the horns annoyed me. Altamont performance was not bad.

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Elmo Lewis
I may get thrown off of here for this, but I've never really dug SFTD. Shelter, on the other hand , is a personal favorite.

I'm with you. Sympathy is their one big song that I honestly don't care if I ever hear again. I get why most dig it, but even on BB it's one of my lesser faves. GS by miles, the build up on that is second to none.

Hi all.

For me, SFTD have always been special.
But, annyway, IMHO it´s a kind of "hey babe, which one do you love more, mummy or daddy?" question.